Six of Crows
Easy
Wylan wasn´t sure that this was real. Life wasn´t always safe around the Crows but it was nice. It had a feeling of family. This couldn´t be real. Life wasn´t that easy. Nothing was.
Because Wylan had only been with the group called "the Crows" for a few weeks since fleeing his fathers house, hadn't even met all members and was already overwhelmed, a young, very nice woman by the name of Inej had offered that Wylan could get accustomed with them in smaller groups and proceeded to take him ice skating the next day. Wylan wasn´t sure that this was real. Life wasn´t always safe around the Crows but it was nice. It had a feeling of family. This couldn´t be real. Life wasn´t that easy. Nothing was.
He had to admit that he wasn't exactly good at ice skating but he could usually keep his head above his feet and was able to move forward without help. Inej on the other hand was as talented on the ice as she was above the roofs of the city gathering gossip for the groups leader. The woman just seemed to have a talent to look good while doing everything she attempted nearly perfectly. If Wylan had been interested in women and wouldn't have to fear for his life due to a certain leader if he only so much as looked at Inej wrong, perhaps he might have actually hit on her.
Deep in thoughts, his concentration slid away from the ice. Within the second that he looked up, he only saw green fabric and dark skin before someone crashed into him. There was a thump when his body landed on the hard, cold and wet ground with a thud, dyeing ice crystals red.
The stranger slithered to a halt above him, barely avoiding a second collision. "Fuck, are you hurt? I'm so sorry, I was too fast and you were suddenly there."
Wylan glanced up between strands of hair falling into his face. "Hi."
"Boy, are you hurt? Sweetie, you're bleeding. Stay on the ground, don't move. Jesper you absolute idiot," Nina scowled her friend, "can't you watch where you're going?"
Both young men didn't even register that one of Jespers friends was talking to them. Especially not Wylan, who was still glancing up into the face of the stranger that had now knelt down beside his head, looking down at him, holding one of Wylans hands in his own. His eyes were the eye of the hurricane in the bustle happening around Wylan and it soothed his nerves and his pain.
"Is it bad?" Wylan asked. By now he could smell the blood, a smell that made him terribly nauseous and he had to try very hard to keep from spilling his breakfast over the ice. "Well it looks cool on the ice to be honest," the stranger, Jesper, shrugged, his free hand in his hair. His posture showed clear signs of embarrassment and self-consciousness. He seemed almost shy now.
Wylan laughed. "Do you wanna go on a date with me?"
Jesper blushed. Inej came into Wylans field of sight. "Wylan Van Eck, would you stop flirting bleeding out on the floor. The paramedics are here." As soon as Wylans anchor aka the grey eyes of the handsome young man he had just met disappeared, everything became blurred before he slipped into unconsciousness. The whole ordeal in the hospital went by almost unnoticed by Wylan, who was in a state of shock since he had actually caught sight of the amount of blood spilled upon being lifted onto a stretcher. He was honestly surprised when the doctors told him that he was expected to make a full recovery.
Inej handled all formalities for him and brought him back to the slat once the doctors gave their okay after several hours. Wylan was glad that he didn't have to make the way all by himself as he collapsed onto his bed as soon as Inej let him go from her vice-like grip.
"Found you."
Jespers grin was sheepisly as he lazily a coin von through his fingers. Wylan was mesmerizing by that alone before he noticed just who was sitting in his room there when he woke up. "You!"
"Jesper Fahey, pleasure to meet you. Again."
With Jespers help, as Wylan didn't have full energy yet, he managed to cross the room, where he quickly washed up with cold water from a basin and changed clothes while Jesper had made a run for food.
"Inej says you're supposed to stay in bed a little longer," he said when he appeared with a basket.
"I thought I was getting the chance to take you out on a date."
"Sorry, sunshine. I promise I'll let you take me out another time. For now we´re staying in bed and stuffing our face."
Wylan grinned. "Sounds good, too," he nodded as he moved slowly to the mirror. "I look horrible!"
"Adorable, " Jesper corrected but Wylan pouted. The big bandage around his head made him look absolutely ridiculous. Red colored strands were sticking out between his natural [blond] hair. He tugged at one of them. The metallic smell still lingered on his hair and now also his hand and Wylan turned his head and washed his hands very thoroughly again as to not gag. "Sorry. It has to stay on until tomorrow, but then you can wash your hair, "Inej said from where she had appeared in the doorway. When Wylan turned to look at her, his crush slipped out the door. Inej looked after him for a second before she shrugged with a smile. "Hell come back, that's just what Jesper is like."
Wylan could only stare. "You know Jesper," he commented dumbfundly. Inej laughed." He's one of my best and closest friends, of course I know him! I didn't know Nina and Jesper were planning to go ice skating though. We could have gone together!" she exclaimed with a smile before she added "Well at least now you know everyone."
At that moment Jesper appeared again, hands behind his back, a big grin plastered on his face." Go to the mirror," he said and mentioned for Wylan to move. "Close your eyes,"Jesper went on as the younger had followed his request. With a frown Wylan closed his eyes. He felt something being set down on his head. It was circular and made of something sturdy. Jesper tapped his shoulder and allowed the blond to open his eyes. A metal crown, one of those that some merchants sold on the street to kids. "Made it myself some time ago. Distracts from the bandage. Also, you could try to convince your brain that this is where the metallic smell comes from.
In a quick motion, Wylan turned around, embracing Jesper. The young man hugged him back before they settled on the bed arm in arm, sharing the food that Jesper had brought. It was surprisingly easy to enjoy the situation and make himself believe that the smell of blood was the crown settled on his head. Wylan glanced upwards towards the other man who was watching TV.
It was easy with Jesper. It was easy.